27 June 2006

The recent leaks that the US government continues to spy on innocent citizens, in this case, by tracking their financial records, is revealing. For one thing, it shows how the government goes through foreign companies to circumvent U.S. Constitutional protections. The only solution is to sack the current government as quickly as possible. At the same time, we need to do something about the 4th branch of government, the CIA.

Wow, are you really this ignorant? First of all, how does a program monitor overseas transactions equate to spying on"innocent civilians"? What is circumventing the Constitution, here? Seriously, you haven't the first clue what you are talking about.

The SWIFT network is used for all kinds of transactions, not just bank transfers but equity and bond trading, money markets etc.

So in order to capture a potential terrorist who might transfer $14 000 to his henchmen in the US (the largest single transfer to a 9\11 terroist before the event), you would let the US government spy on all your SWIFT transaction. Or the SEIFT transactions between other countries. Or to and from foriegn competitors to American companies. Or from foriegn or domestic organizations opposed to the policies of the US government.

I think you see where I am going, right?

All over the world, there are already laws in place to monitor suspicious transactions because of organized crime, the drug trade and other money laundering ventures. Terrorist fuding is no different and should require a warrant.

Besides, most terrorist aren't in a possition to move vast sums of money so this will have little affect on the war on terror. But my won't it give Boeing a jump on Airbus, or Exxon a jump on Royal Dutch Shell. The US government will kow when Greenpeace is preparing a big campaign in the South Pacific or the Quakers are sending money to help Palestinian refugees.